10 Ways to Get Rid of Ants

During the wet season or extremely hot weather, ants have been known to be in large masses and so it is quite a common occurrence to find them in the vicinity of your home. The fact that they live in colonies of up to a million ants may make it especially difficult get rid of them.

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Furthermore, when the insects get into your home they put you at risk of ant bites and may damage your property, not forgetting the amount of food one would have to throw away in case it has been infested by ants. Discussed below are 10 ways to get rid of ants:

1. USE OF WHITE VINEGAR
The white vinegar has a very strong smell which ants cannot bear. It also causes the ants to lose direction as it will mask the scent trails. The step to making this home remedy is easy: First of all, mix water and the vinegar in the ratio of 1:1. After the solution is well mixed, put it in a spraying bottle. You may also add some drops of essential oils although this is optional.

Next, spray your solution around your home’s baseboards as this is the most likely place to find an ant trail. After about one hour, you will find the dead ants on the sprayed areas. Clean this up using a damp cloth and discard. (You may use a paper towel). Repeat the process daily until all ants are gone.

2. CINNAMON
This is another element whose smell is pungent to ants. It has been scientifically proven that cinnamon oil has positive results when it comes to both insecticidal activity and repellency. Mix about half a tablespoon of cinnamon oil with one cup of water. Dip a cotton ball into your solution then wipe the areas which the ants usually trail. Do this once a day until the insects disappear.

3. PEPPERMINT
This is a natural repellent of insects. It has a strong smell which disrupts the ants’ smelling capabilities hence it becomes difficult for them to get to food sources. Add about 5 drops of this repellent to half a cup of water. After putting your solution in a spray bottle, spray the garbage areas and doorways to keep away the insects. The best part about this remedy is that peppermint can easily be grown in your back garden hence save you costs.

4. BORAX
It is toxic in that ants immediately die when they consume it even though at first they will be attracted to it. Mix food jelly and borax in the ratio of 1:1. Leave it on a plate and place it in any area where you have previously seen an ant trail.

5. DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
This is the residual powder of fossilized marine phytoplankton. Its edges are razor sharp and so when the insects walk on the powder their exoskeletons will be cut through and dry out and eventually die. Sprinkle thin layers of the powder beneath your fridge, on windowsills, under cabinets or any places that you might have seen an insect trail.

6. LEMON
Its smell performs the function of deterring ants. The lemon also has acidic properties which mask the scent trails. Rub some of the fruit’s juice on windowsills and door thresholds to keep the ants away. Another option would be to deep cotton balls in lemon oil and having them in a cabinet where ants were previously seen.

7. LIQUID SOAP
Dish soap suffocates ants hence causes them to die. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda and dish soap and spread the solution on the areas through which ants are coming into your home. You may also mix dish soap and water in the ratio of 2:1 and spray your mixture thoroughly over infested areas.

8. USING CUCUMBER PEELINGS
Naturally, ants cannot stand the taste of cucumbers. Simply peel your cucumber and place the peelings in areas where there has been ant activity. It is important to ensure you replace peels daily so as to have the desired effect of repelling the insects. Repeat the process daily until the insects are gone.

9. CAYENNE PEPPER
Ants are all dependent on chemical signals which they rely on so as to get to a specific food source. Cayenne pepper destroys these signals hence the survival of the insects is reduced by a high percentage. Sprinkle the powder on areas which are prone to ant activity. You may also mix it with turmeric powder so as to create an unpleasant boundary for the insects.

10. GENERALLY KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN
Insects are usually attracted to unclean places, for instance, if you spilled some juice on the kitchen counter and failed to wipe it, you are guaranteed to find a whole army of ants feasting at the counter as they have a strong sense of smell. Always ensure that counter tops, cabinets and floors are kept clean at all times. Wipe out a stain as soon as it occurs.

CONCLUSION
As mentioned above, the best guarantee of having an ant-free home is top notch cleanliness. Avoid leaving dirty dishes at the sink and ensure that moisture does not accumulate at the kitchen counter. You should also check if there are any crevices or cracks around windows and doors. If present, seal them using caulk or petroleum jelly to prevent entry of insects into your home.